NASSI unveils funding plans for entrepreneurs

By Fatima Muraina
|
In a bid to further boost buiness enterprises in Ondo state, entreprenuers in the state have been offered access to loans to meet their needs.

The state Chairman of Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Great Seyi Akintunde made this known to entrepreneurs at a seminar held for industrialists in Akure, the  state capital.

Akintunde said there are grants and loans on ground from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for access.

He disclosed that 28 people have so far benefitted and received a sum of seven million, two hundred thousand naira from the  grants while 18 people from Akure have also benefitted a sum of  N160 million.

The current loan for access, Akintunde stressed has 10% interest rate with  a period of seven years before repayment will commence.

The Assistant Manager of SMEDAN, Mr. Michael Amushita while addressing the people explained that  the loan is under a programme called Andmis which he said was initiated by the bankers committee to alleviate poverty.

Amushita noted that the bankers committee set aside certain amount to lend out for seven years tenure adding that beneficiaries can access up to 10million naira each.

To access the loan, he said a prospective beneficiary is expected to present either a SMEDAN certificate or an enterprise development institute certificate.

The target markets for the Andmis scheme, according to Amushita include Agricultural value chain production inputs supply storage and marketing as well as creative industry such as  fashion.

The zonal manager of Anchor Pension Managers, Mr. Ayorinde Abolaji, educated participants on Micro pension plan, a secured and rewarding retirement plan for the self-employed.

He defined Micro pension plan as an agreement to pay and withdraw which he described as a saving grace.

“When you have a pension account and you are funding it, you do not have a problem, because your money counts everyday and even after death”, he said.